Kadavallur, a sleepy village in north Thrissur, tunes in to Vedic chants as scholars meet for a unique debate, called Anyonyam (face-to-face). Lord Sri Rama Temple at Elavalli Kadavallur (Matte Kadavallur) is historically renowned and 1800 years old. The Elavalli Kadavallur Temple is closely related to the famous and renowned North Kadavallur which acts as the stage for the aforesaid Kadavallur Anyonyam. It is believed that the Khadolkhaja blessed the two temples (Elavalli Kadavallur and North Kadavallur temples) at the same time with his sovereign presence. Elavalli Village can be reached by traveling 6 km by road in the South East direction from the famous Guruvayoor Sree Krishna Temple. Elavalli village is mentioned as Srilatha Gramam in Mayoora Sandhesakavyam by Kalidasa. The famous modha of Sri Kakkassery Bhattathiri who defeated to Udhanda Sasthrikal in intellectual debates is situated in south west direction of Kadavallur temple.
The deity enshrined in the Vattasreekovil (circular sanctum sanctorum) of this temple is the Ugra bhava (fierce form) of Sri Rama together with Seetha Devi, After the assasination of Kharasura (demon called Khara) and is a rareity. Inside the Nalambalam Lord Shiva, Lord Ganapathi and Lord Sastha facing east and Lord Vettaikaran (also called as Vettakkorumakan) are placed which increases the elagance of the temple. Inside the Valiyambalam, Malamkurathy (Kiratha Parvathy) could be seen facing west who gives blessings to students which is a speciality of this temple.
In ancient days at Kadavallur Sadhoos were dwelled in this place which was surrounded by hills and forest. Kadavallur Sri Rama temple was owned and supervised by Brahmins. But in the course of time it is assumed that number of Brahmin families was diminished and several migrated to different places. The remaining families are that of Puliyannur thanthri, Eppurath illam and Kaplingattu illum. And later on the temple administration transfered to Ullanattu panicker.
In the reign of Zamorin, from Ponnani to Mathilakam, the local ruling was undertaken by Ullanattu Panicker. Ekkanda Panicker, Ekkoma Panicker, Kunjikkoma Panicker were famous among them. From the history of Sri Guruvayoor temple, it can be seen that they administrated Guruvayoor Devaswam from 1825 to 1900. Similar to guruvayoor temple, the rituals and festivals were conducted here also. The annual festival included various programmes like Vaaram, Murajapam etc. for 10 days and ended with Aarattu (the holy bath).
In connection with the festival, various percussion art forms and performing art forms like Krishnanattam and Kathakali were arranged from the places reigned by the Zamorin. The Kadavallur Sri Rama Temple has its own three tuskers and a very specious dinner Hall which can accommodate 2000 people. This temple has owned acres of land under its possession. Tons of paddy grain were received by lending these for cultivation. These temple assets were privatised by the emergance of democracy.
Some youngsters gathered to change this condition and started to lighten evening lamps and arranged poojas for one session. The narrow passage to this temple was later convert to a road by the untired and constant efforts of villagers. Each Punartham Malayalam Month, a holy feast is getting arranged for blessing the shrine and in Punartham Nakshathra of Makaram month, the annual festival is getting conducted.
The North Kadavallur temple is counted as one of the 6 important Sri rama temples in kerala. Khadolkhaja, son of Bhima found this idol and was worshipped by Vibheeshna during Thretayuga. Thiruvangadu, Thiruvilwamala, Triprayar, Ramapuram and Velinellur are the other equally important sree rama temples.
It is believed that Sri Ramaswami resides in this temple as sad in the morning as he misses Sita Devi, angry in the noon because of unfavourable attitude of Varuna at the time of Sethu Bhandan and in the evening as a Royal King after the Sri Rama Pattabhishekam.
The principal deity made of stone inside the sanctum is a four-armed (Chathurbahu) Vishnu
who is worshipped as Sri Rama as in many other Kerala temples.
Encircling the main shrine is a tiled enclosure with an entrance having
two wings, one on the South is important as it is called Koothambalam,
the one on the other side is where spectators sit. At the rear-end of
the Koothambalam is placed a huge pot-drum (Mizhavu) on a wooden
pedestal.
The temple is located in Thalapilly taluk 10 kms from Kunnamkulam in Calicut route. Tantric rights are given for Thiroor Kainikkara Vadakkedath Mana and is under the administration of Cochin Devaswom board. Ganapathy, Sangalppa Sivan, Ayyappan
are the sub deities worshipped in this temple.
